HELPING INDIVIDUALS

Welding Rod Fumes Investigation

Who We Represent

Individuals who may have been injured due to exposure to welding rod fumes.

What You Need to Know

Roda Nast, pc is investigating the link between welding and the development of both Parkinson's Disease and manganism. A recent study by Brad A. Racette, M.D. from the Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis has shown that welding might trigger the early onset of Parkinson's Disease. The research team found that some professional welders developed signs of the disease an average of 15 years earlier than the general population.

Welding is the process of joining two pieces of metal. When metals are welded together, they are joined with a filler material, called a consumable. The consumable is typically a welding electrode, welding rod,or welding wire. The welding of the metals and consumable creates concentrated fumes and gases. Consumables are responsible for 80 to 95 percent of the fumes.
The fumes created by welding contain the elements fluorine, manganese, zinc, lead, arsenic, calcium, sulfur, chrome and nickel. The gases carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, oxides of nitrogen, ozone and fluorine are also released.
Exposure to the toxins in welding fumes, including high levels of manganese, can damage the central nervous system and cause neurological problems. The disorders caused by the toxins in welding fumes include Parkinson's Disease, manganese induced Parkinsonism, manganese poisoning, and manganism.
Parkinson's Disease is a slowly progressive disorder that is characterized by slowness of movement and tremors that affect one side of the body more than the other. Other symptoms of Parkinson's Disease include rigidity (stiff muscles), speech problems, and problems with walking and balance.

What You Need to Do

If you or a family member is a welder and suffer from Parkinson's Disease or a manganese-related disease and would like to learn more about your legal rights, e-mail attorney Daniel N. Gallucci or call Roda Nast, pc, toll free, at 1-888-245-0200.